Young people recreate the famous Christmas truce football matches

Young people recreate the famous WW1 Christmas truce football matches watched by Simon Danczuk MP

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Young people came together on Saturday to recreate the famous Christmas truce football matches to mark the centenary of the First World War.

The matches which were one of the most recognisable moments of the Great War, saw German and allied soldiers cease fighting on Christmas Day 1914.

In their memory, many of the youth clubs organised by Rochdale Youth Service supported young people to reflect and learn about the World Wars, the truce and the impromptu games of football that took place along the Western Front on Christmas Day 1914.

Lead Youth Worker, Karen Tyner said: "We all grew up with the story of soldiers from both sides putting down their weapons on Christmas Day and it remains wholly relevant today as a message of hope over adversity, even in the darkest of times."

Area Youth Worker Mohammed Zarafat said: "The impromptu games of football that happened along the Western Front 100 years ago are an incredible example of how people-to-people connections can triumph in the midst of a global conflict. History is full of such powerful lessons for all of our young people”

Angela Foster, Area Youth Worker also stated: “The young people have learnt a lot about the history of the wars, this was a great way for the young people to join in a national act of remembrance."

The following day representatives of the Pennines Youth Forum accompanied by Youth Service staff attended the Remembrance Services across the Pennines, young people from the forum lay wreaths at Littleborough, Milnrow and Wardle Village